Signal system for railways.



PATBNTBD octr. 23.1906.

M. G. VOIGTLANDBB. A SIGNAL SYSTEM PoR RAILWAYS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14. 1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTBD 00123,'1906 5 sHE'IT-BHBET g.

M. G. VOIGTLANDER. SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR RAILWAYS.`

APrLIoATIoN FILED Nov.14. 1904.

PATENTED 0012.23, 1906.

No, 833,765 v MfG. VOIGTLANDBR. SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR RMLWAYS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14, .1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14, 1904.

5 SHBETB-SHBET 4.

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PATBNTED 00T.. z3, 1906.

M. G, VOIGTLANDBR. SIGNAL SYSTEM PoR RAILWAYS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14, 1904.

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MAXIMILLIAN GEORGE'vOIGTLANDEaOF 'I-IAInnsON,v OHIO, 'lAssIoNOn OrONII-THIRD TOOWEN' w. causes, or HARRISON, OHIO, AND ONE- THIRDVTO ABRAHAM WEEKS, or HAHRIsON, INDIANA;

,PSIGNALSYSTEM FOR 'HAILVI/larsl"` To a/ZZ whom it ma/yconceyn:

Be it known that I, MAXIMILLIAN GEORGE VOIGTLANDER, a citizen' of the United States,

residing at Harrison, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain :new and useful Improvements in Signal Systems for Railways, of which theV following is a specification. y -f r l Itis the object of my invention to`provide a signal system for railways inwhch the railway vis divided-into signal sections or blocks and in which. the occupancy or derangement of a .given section or block may be tested from the train, car, or vehicle 4uponthe railway; and the invention consists partly in de- -vices for accomplishing this purpose.

My invention consists, further, in so arranging the-rails `that one of" the rails forms an eleetricallycontinuous, rail, lwhile the other rail is insulated into blocks or sections;

further, in providing for electric overlapping of sections or blocks; furtherg'in providing for electrically overlapping sections .or blocks at both ends thereof, so that notice of the* occupancy or derangement of a preceding section or block may be received upon a locomotive, car, or vehicle proceeding in either direction y"alor g the track; further, in providing means `whereby notice of the occupancy or erangement of adjoining blocks of adjoining main orsiding or crossing tracks may be imparted uponv the vehicle j further, In providing novel means 4.whereby notice of the occupancy or condition of a crossing-block may be imparted at a signal-tower; in novel means for manipulating the respective crossing tracks by the tower apparatus, and thereby affecting the tower-sign al therefor, and in novel means for notifying the tower-operator of the continuance of occupancyof-either, track by a vehicle `and the departure of said vehicle from said blocks', furthenin providingmeans f'or'testing the `condition'of 'the signal apparatus upon the vehicle; further, in novel means provided on the vehicle fortesting oc-` cupancy or condition of agiven block, and,

further, in the parts and in the construction,

arrangement, and combinationsof parts here-r inafter described and claimedm'v proved signal system as applied inivarious re- Specicaton of Letters Patent.,

Application tiled November 14,1904. Serial No. 232.678` 'I spirit of my invention.

Patented oct. 2 3, 1906.

lations an'd under various conditions presentedin the operation of a railway, although it is obvious 'that other conditions may be presented 'and other arrangements than those shown' may be employed within the I have shown and described my invention as appliedyprimarily, to a single-track railway. It-is obvious, however, that the same may be applied to a multitrack railway, and -the necessaryconnections for the latter may be readily V'ascertained from the description and drawings by one skilled in the art. Figure 1 represents a plan -view ofmy inI- proved signal system as applied to a singletrack railway with vehicles upon thev track, showing the signal apparatus on-the vehicle diagrammaticdlly in simple form. Fig. 2 is aplan view .of my improved system, taken at a siding or switch and showing the electric connections diagrammatically. resents a plan view of a single-track-railway crossing in my improvedsystern. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a single-track-railwaycrossing in my improved system provided `with a derail at each side of the crossing and electric connections for the same-- Fig. 5 isa plan view showing a crossing of ,single tracks in my improved system with derails therein in duplicate signals. Fig. Sis a side elevation,

partly'broken away, showingthe manner of mounting the traveling or vehicle contact and the stationary or tracka e contact. Fig', Qisa detail in section on the ine ofFig. 8,

showing the manner of mounting the trackcontact. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the electric switch for the movable rail, with the' ca'sing thereof in section, Aon the line y yfof Fig.. 11.- Fig. l1 is a vertical cross-:section 'of the In the lrawings I have illustrated my'imsame on the line z z of/Fig. -10, also showing its connection with the movable rail.

Fig. 7 is an end view showing i of the preceding ythe home plate.

Referring to Fig. 1, A B C represent three blocks of a single-track railway. The rail 1 is an electrically continuous rail, preferably electrically bonded at the joints, and forms one of the electric conductors for my improved block system. In the form shown it constitutes one of the conductors for forming the circuit for passing through the signal on the vehicle. The rail 1 is common to all the blocks. The rails 2 2 2 represent the blockrails of the respective blocks. They are insulated, as shown at 3, for forming the blocks. Preferably at the entrance of a block, at both ends thereof, especially in a single-track railway, there is a contact-plate 4, hereinafter called the home contact-plate, and distant therefrom there is preferably a contact-plate 5, hereinafter called the distant contact-M plate. rIhese contact-plates ha ve an electric contact-surface 6 presented downwardly for. protecting the same from sleet, snow, ice, and dirt. The plates have curved ends 7 8 for readily receiving the contact-brush 9 on the vehicles, wlnch latter are'shown at D D.v The home contactlate is electrically 'connected with the .bloc -rail in advance thereof by an electric conductor or wire 10. The distant contact-plate is also electrically connected with the block, in advance thereof, as by having a conductor 11 connected therewith and to conductor l0, as shown in Fig. 1, or the conductor 11 may be connected with, The conductors 10 and 1'1 may be carried on poles or under ground or in other suitable manner. The track contactplates are located alongside, but insulated from, a given block and have electric connec- 'tion with the block in ad vance, so that electric connection may be made therefrom to the signa-ling apparatus on the vehicle, while inthe gi ven block for sounding or testing the presence of a vehicle in or the derangement of the block in advance to insure that said blockk in advance is clear and that the vehicle may safely enter thereinto and to indicate whether the switches and derails therein are closed. The track contact-plates'for a block ini advance are preferably located at the right block. Thus, referring to Fig. 1.-, the contact; lates for block A for a vehicle traveling in t e direction of the arrow ct are located alongside block B, while those for block B are located alongside of block C, although it is obvious that the connections can be so made as to ha ve the contact-plates overlap into any preceding block. For a vehicle traveling in the direction of the arrow b the contact-platesffor the block C are located alongside block B, While those for the block B are located alongside block A, the wires 10 in this instance. taking past the rail 1v 1n order to make connection with the block rail. These track contact-plates form local contacts for a given block located in some other 23, secured to the car-truck24 at 25.

' the truck, as see insulation 26 26..

l normally rests.

block. In practice these blocks may be of thereupon in order to pre vent the possibility of a vehicle entering the other end of said 8 block in advance from the opposite direction between the time of' breaking of contact with said contact-plate and the entrance of said' first-named vehicle upon said block in advance. Said home plate may extend a suit-r 8 able distance into the preceding block, and

ythe distant plate may begin at thewhistlepost (marked 12) and extend, say, two hundred feet beyond. The contact-plates may` be secured to and beinsula'ted from the rail by being secured to brackets 1.3, having a threaded shank 14, nuts 15 16 taking about the shank for adjusting the shank and securing it in place. (See Fig, 9.) Insulating collar 17 and insulating washers 18 19 take about the shank for insulating the shank from the rail. The brackets are preferably recliningly U-shaped, having a lateral outward extension 20, an upwardly-projecting portion 21, and an inwardly-projecting portion 22, below which latter the contactplate is secured.

The brush 9 is preferably yieldingly supported, as by being mounted on a spring-arm Figs. 7 and 8.) This arm is insulated from It is projected outwardly, as shown at 27, so that the brush 9 at its end may take vertically below the contact-plates. The brush 9 is provided 1 with curved ends 28 29. The curved ends 7 8 of the contact-plates form inclines or finders, by which the brush with its oppositelycurved ends will readily make contact with the plate, and thereby compensate for 4the 1 variations in height which the brush may assume during travel of the vehicle, the contact plate and brush being also Wide enough to compensate for side vibrations of the vehicle. The brush, having found the contact- ,12o

plate, will ride thereunder, the resilience of the spring-arm'norinally pressing the `brush against the contact-plate for securing electrical connection between the brpsh and plate. In -order to normally brush and prevent vibration thereof when not in contact with the track-plates, I provideaa stop 30, a ainst which the spring-arm t is obvious that the brush IOO (See 105 ositionl the 125 may be in the form of a wheel. In the sim- 13o low,` potential. .Q "Qne termifal for', this bat# pler form of signal for the vehicle, (shown at i .I have thus far described the' sounding or .Erin Ei'g- 1.,) rleridea batterrt preferably @n.teryff .has electric A.coni1ectionfy the 'axle 5 and wheels of thevehicle through .a 'conductor The ,'.Othrftermmai fof the eatery has tentation through "conductores with. the post ,4l of .an `electricfbell 42.', a conductor y43 :f Gfinnecting with ,the post A44 of the `bel1. The

ndufc'tor43makes electric connection with e bru'shft)y preferably. throughtthefarm 23. prefer, however, Vvto!V interpose an electric "fswth intheconductor.43,l Which Switch f is'. normally closed, and to alsoprof'vide anleit- 15- hand brush, as lshown at :109V in Fig-7, to be used 'in backing up.

'. Illustrating the operation of my improved devicein thel simpler'iorm heretofore de-U scribed, and referring' to Fig. 1, it maybe as# 2o proceeding in block B in the direction of -the sumed' that a vehicle (represented by D) is arrow a. yElectrical connection vis thereby made through the axle Iand wheels between the block-,rail 2 of block B land the continuous rail 1. The block-rail and continuous rail are normally insulated -rom eachother. It may .be further assumed that a second vehicle (represented 'by D) is block C, also in the direction As soon as the contact-brush 9011 the vehicle D reaches the distant plate alongside block C electrical connection for the-Signat on the vehicle, (which in a locomotive-would be lo' cated in an enginemans cab or inan electric or traction line at the motormans position,) is made with block B Y and circuit formed through the following connections; post 44 of bell 42, conductor 43 and`switch4'5, 'brush' 9, distant plate 5, conductor 11, conductor 10, block-rail 2 of block B, wheels and axle of the vehicleD, continuous rail 1, wheel and axle of vehicle D, conductor 39, battery 38, conductor 40, and post 41 of bell, thereby ringing the bell and indicating to the driver of the vehicle that a vehicle is on the section in advance and giving said driver, whether he or the driver may selectively open the switch and close it at intervals for sounding or testing the occupancy of the block in advance from time to time. As soon as the vehicle D has passed out of block B the signal in the vehicle D will sofindicate, permitting the vehicle D to enter block B and pass therethrough.

.proceeding inv ol the arrow a.

If the switch 45 is signaling device on'the .vehicle in its simpler form order that the principle underlying my invention vmay be more,readilynndef-l preferably abrus Ilocated upon each` Sideiof 'the vehicle, Vso, that'electrio Acontact may 'be the veh1cle,) whichv brush has .electric connec'- [from the' circuit. lf desired, the signal upon tion withthe conductor 43 by a conductor 8o 143, the switch 45 making contact with either :terminal 46 or' 146 ofthe switch for placing either' brush 9 ori09`in circuit",l the point 47 being the oint for cutting. out both brushes 8 the vehicle may be in duplicate,as shown at 5 E and and may also be provided withA short-circuiting connection for testing its ef-v iciency and with switches for throwing eitherl.rv signal into connection with. the Vblock-circuit, 9o as eithersignal shows the higher-efficiency. Thus 38 is the duplicate battery, and 42 is the duplicate bell, oi signal E This battery .and'bell are connected by a conductor 40.4 A. conductor 43 leads from the bell 42, anda conductor 39 leads from the battery 38. 'A

' doubleswitch .48 comprises the switch members 49 50. The member 49 1s interposed in the conductor 43 between the bell and switch 45,'and the member 50 is interposed in the roo conductor When the switch is thi-ovm, y its members will make ycontact', respectively, i with the conductors 43 and 39, thus'cutting in the battery 3S and bell 41 and cutting out the battery 3Sa'nd bell 4l, or vice versa. In [o5 order to short-circuit the signals on the vehicle :for testing their elliciency, which is referably done prior to arrival of the vehicile at the track contacft-p'lateal .connect a conductoi" 5] to the conductor 39 between its connection with thcaxle and the switch 48 and to the conductor 43 between the switches 45 and 48 and interposea switch -52 in said conductor 5l. By the manipulation. oi these switches either signal may be operated from either brush. and either signal may be shortcircuited on the vehicle. l have preferred to show the signals as electric bells but it is ob- 'vious that other signals may be employed.

1 Referring to F ig. 2, F, G, and ll represent succeeding blocks in .themam track ot my improved system, they block G also being a siding-block, or block for a branch road,'and the branch road may, in turn, be blocked .in I.similar manner to the main road, as indicated at I.` Each of the blocks is providedfwith track contactplates heretofore described. 53.represents the-rail-switch 0r movablerail' section.l The rail-switch is nfprmally .insulatedpfrom"thc b lock-raile'bntprovided,

IIO

izo

with 'means whereby electrical connection may be made with the block-rail'. Thus at the rail-switch the portion 54 0f the main block-rail is insulated from the block-railat 55 and 56. A. bond-wire 57 spans the gap 'thus formed in the block-rail and connects with both sections of the block-rail, respectively, at 58 59. An electric switch 60 is interposed in the conductor 61, which latter electrically connects the block-'rail and the continuous rail when the switch is closed. The conductor 61 connects with the bondwire 57 at 62, thus forming connectionwith the block-rail and with the continuous rail at 63.v The rail-switch has connection with the electric switch for operating the latter, as see the connection c.- Referring to Figs. 10|and 11, I-have shown a-preferred construction of rail and electric!` switch connection in which the rail-switch isk provided-with a tongue 64, which moves with the rail-switch and takes between the leaves' 65 66 of the electric-switch 60 in order to form the electiic'connection inthe vconductor f the movable rail comprises a bar 71, secured to the tongue by a nut and. bolt 72 and insulated therefrom by'washers 73 73 and collar 74 and a krod 75, pivotally connected at one end to a finger 76, secured to the movable rail and pivotally connected at its other end to acollar 77, secured to the bar 71 bya set- 4o bolt 78. The bar 17 slides in a bearing 79 in thefbox.- A bond-wire 8.0 bonds the continuous rail with the siding-rails at the'rail-switch. If a vehicle in block F approaches block G and the siding-switch in .block G closed, thus' leaving the main track continuous, and

- no vehicle is present in the main or siding portion of block G, block G will show clear, as vthe electric-.switch 60 will be open and noobstru tion will be present on the said block last mentioned. Ii, however, the siding switch is open, interfering with continu-ity in the main track, the tongue 64 will take between the leaves 6 5 66 of theelectric switch 60, and thereby form a circuit with the bell in the vehicle and. ring the bell, the circuitbeing formed throu hl the contact-plate for block G alongside b ock F, brush 9, its conductor 43, the electric bell ori the vehicle, conductor 40, the battery, conductor 39, the axle and wheels of vehicle, continuous' rail 1, conduetor 61, in which the electric switch 60 is closed, bond-wire 57, block-rail 2'of block G, conductorv '10, andthe track contact-plate just mentioned'.` `Notice-will also be given to 6 5 avehicle in the siding of the presence of a vehicle in block Gof the main track, the siding being provided with asidingcontact-plate 4a, connecting with the block-rail of block G/of the'inain track'by a conductor 10, the cirvcuits'being readily ascertained from the descriptions heretofore given.

R1`fe1ing now to F ig. 3, which shows a single-track crossover in my improved system, Krepresentsv the crossover-block, and K K2 K3 K4' represent the adjoining blocks et' 'the two tracksA L L.Y The continuous rails 1 1 of the respective tracks L L may be electrically connected. -The block-rails 212 of the i :rossingblock oi the respective tracks have 'an electric gap-formed therein immediately adjacentthe crossover proper, the end sections of the block-rails, however, being -bonded together by a conductor 81, having connection at 82 with one section of the crossing block-rail of track L, at 83 with one end of the crossing block-rail of track L, at S4 with thewother end of the crossing block-rail of track L, and at 85 with the other end of thecrossing block-rail of track L. The electric fgap in the crossover is occupied by insulatev block-rail sections 86 87, respectively, insulated from the block-rail of track L at 88 89 and fromthe block-rail of track L at 90 91. Avehicle traveling in any'aof the blocks KC, K2, K3, `or K4 'toward the crossover-block Will be able to sound for anddetect the presence of a vehicle in any part of block K.

'Referri to Fig. 4, 1 have shown'a derailcrossover 1n my improved system.4 This crossover is similar to that shown in Fig. 3, z except that it is provided with derails and the necessary electric connections for same. The derails are shown at 92 and are movable-rail sections, having;` electric connections similar to the track-switch shown in Figsal() and 11. Thus the tongue, 64 ofthe electric switch 60 of conductor 61 is secured to the movable or de rail. The electric gap in the rail formed by the derail when opened is spanned by an electric conductor 32, having connection at 33 and 34 with the rail in which the derail is located Iat opposite ends of said derail. M represents the-derail crossover-block, and M M2, M3, and M4 theadj acent blocks of the two tracks L L2; The block-rails of the crossing- 1 15 block have electric gap formed therein, with insulated filling-in rails for said gap and are bonded together by a conductor 81, similar to the crossover-block shown in Fig`- 3, the

connection of conductor 81 with the crossing 12o,n

continuous rails 'when said switches are 125` closed-72. e., the derails are open-similarly to the rail-.switch connections shown in Fig. 2. Thus their connections with the block-rails arefshown at 93 and their connections with the-continuous rails areishown at 94, the con.-l 13o detectdwhether the Vderails of block M are open and whether any vehicle is present in block M Referring now to Fig..5, I have shown a crossing-block of my improved system provided with a crossing-tower in which angeperator may operate the derails and simultaneously manipulate the electric 'circuits connected therewith. N, O, and P represent vsuccessive blocks of the track Land Q, R,

and S successive blocks of the track L and R being the crossover-blocks, the block-rails thereof being insulated from each other. The block-rail of block C) has a section 94 thereof insulated from the end sections of the block-rail at 95 96,.1 a bond-wire 97 connecting those end-sections at 98 99. rI`he blockrail of section R has an insulated section 100 therein insulated from the end sections of the block-railv by insulations 1015102, a bondwire 103` having connection with the end sectionsrespectively,`at 104105; The respective derails 92 connect with and operate electric switches 60 in conductors 61, which when f the switches are closed connect the respective block-rails and continuous rails. VThe electric lconductors 32 form electric bond for spanning the electric gap at the derails when In a signal-towe1` (reptric switch for each track. I have shown the tower-signals in thei'orrn of electric bells with battery therefor, although' it is obvious that l closes the respective derails and the switch connecting with the tower-bell 'circuit of the y' block in which the tderails are-locatedlThe" other signals may be employed. The electric bell 107 connects with the block O, and

the electric bell 108 connects with 'the block R. 110 is a battery for the signal-tower bells. A conductor 111 connects the continuous rail of block O with the battery 110,

a conductor 112 connects the battery with bell 107, and a conductor 113 connects the conductor 1 12 with bell 108, these bells being in the signal-tower. A conductor, 114 connects the bell 108 with the block-rail of block said last-named conductor.

posed in said conductor 116. 1 1-8 is a derailing-lever for the derails in block R and has connection with switch 115, and 119 is a derailing-lever for the derails in block O and has connection with switch 117; `Vllhen either derailing-lever is thrown, it opens or derailing-lever connections, with 'the derails and electric switches, may be 'madev A1n any suitable manner. Thus I have shown the.

respective' levers pivoted on pins 120 in beartively7 maybesimilarftothe switchesG'O, and

v` a Shear@ 127 Mid connects it .1223. with' the n.-

takes forwardly fronti:"the-'lever loverthe l 'derail infsthej block-rail;k of 'block OL` wire "155 connects /With rlever v1-11'9 "below "the connection between the'block-rai-I, and?!I rfb@ @fama-@1eri-rif;however,e@seele-ienev ings121 4on,aplate 1221,;se`c1ired'inv-suitable`f manner in the-:tower`, the.v levers being-each provided. above their pivotal point ,with al'connection llu'with,l the res ectivegswtche'sz115 117. Iii-construction -t e switches 11351-117 and their connection .wi-ththelevers,- -respecel their connectionwith thezrnovable rail@ Thus in Fig...6 theyftongue 124 takes -betwejensthe lips 1,25 .125i thegrespective fl ends lcfa the conductors, Below. its pivotalgpoilnt-thederailing-leven 1 18 hase; wire 1 26secured filler t0Y which takes 'forwardl-yfrom ytheilevler-.over

ner Jface of the'A derail inthe continuousraillofs: block R', n A wirefll29 conneets with' wine; 126 at 13.0 andpllg f. 9.791 b63793-glglf-ldwlz. and connects at 13,3 J.with theinnerfaice; oit-the derail in; the` biennali/'ef b1oek,in.p ia eine 134 connects ley l itspivotal point and. pass x` 4and takes aboutshea'l '1' at 13S .Withth'e @Hibernia @Ontnlleurfil Of 10.61. R; ibileaawe 139 connects with.;y 34 et' 140, passes/oyen i a sheave` 141, fan Y, nnec`ts "at"14 2. with the outer" falce of thederail ihtliefblock-rail. bioeka niet@i'isignrrown'for @mythe switch "`and the derail'sA 'bloclQ-.Rfare 'closedf If i't'` isy thrownibaclwaidly, the' switch 115 andfderails in block R are opened. Below its pivotal' 4pointithederailingllevl 119 has'a wire 144ffseciired"theret vs fhicliliv Heeres 147, 143, and r4.9 and e'ofmts at; iojwifth the inner `faceoiytlie' idler-ail in the continuous rail` of blockO. Av wire-151 yconnects wire 144 'at'152 and passes,"overfsheave"153 and connects at' f 1 54 Vith? "the inner --fac`e of pivotal-point and-.passeslto -rear' of said' vever and takeslabout: sheayes1156`f157f 15' y"andVH connects at 1.59withthe outerfa'ce-of t] iderail in the continuous rail :of block `Q ',lwhile a wire connects jwithlwire v'155 ijat" 1161-1, passesover s heaivess162 163,'.andfconnectsat 164 with .thefouter face, oi", the derail `in-"the forward, the switch 117 -and the. derailsrin block O, are closed fIfzitis thrown-back'- wardly,v thes,A :tch-,[117 and "thea `deragils"V in. block O are opened. f Effi' Assuming` now that va train risjin bloc Nat the hoine signal-,plate `and thatthere?isfana 4 oth er train'at the fartherendiof, blockla), the engineman `of 'thel ,prstl-.narned itrain. Ysound-- ing for the block; lO will, form', circuit iinhis;Y cab :between the, holne'plate, lsign-,aldevice in the'cab," 'thelwheelsvand.aigle,oth' continuousrail, the. wheelsffand offfth train in block lO'the'bllockiralgohblockO, i

the home plate, -thereby 'ringingfth bellin'f'f cab indicates block O clear and the vehicle enters block O, the continuous rail and the block-rail of block O are short-circuited by thev wheels and aXle of the train and circuit formed with the battery and bell 107 in the tower through conductors 111, 112, and 116, thereby ringing the bell 107-in the signal- `tower, notifying the tower operator of the entrance of a train into block O.l The operator in the signal-tower thereupon throws the derailing-lever 118, thereby opening the derails in block R and the electric switch 1 15, thereby cutting out bell 10S and giving the vehicle which has just entered block O the right of way, said vehicle thereupon proceeding vthrough the block, the bell in the signal-tower indicating the presence of the vehicle in the block, the bell 107 ceasing toring when said vehicle has passed from the other end of the block. Similaroperations upon block O. are

performed if a train enters block R, the op-H erator thereupon opening the derails in .block O, thereby notifying anv train that may wish to enter blockO thatv the block is not clear, the opening of the derails in block O causing the bell on anyvehicle in blocks N or P making contact with the'signal-plates or contacts alongside thereof to ring, thereby nlotifying the driver that said block is not c ear.

By means of my improved device the driver of a vehicle is continually being notified on the vehicle itself of the occupancy or continuity of a previous block. If any switches or derails in the previous block are open or if the previous block, is occupied, whether such occupancy is due to another train or car or to the fact that another train has broken in two, leaving one or more cars behind, the driver of the vehicle is notified on the vehicle of such derangement or occupancy before yhe enters upon the affected block. The driver may sound any block on his vehicle before he enters the block, and he obtains knowledge on the vehicle of the condition of the block while 'attending' to hiscombinationof a track comprising an elec.

trically-continuous: rail and a mating blockrail arranged into electric blocks, the block-` rail of a given block having an electric contact electrically connected therewith ateach end thereof and extending into some other block, said electric contacts being on opposite sides of said track. l

3. In a system of the character described, the combination of a track comprising an electrically-continuous rail and a mating block-rail insulated into blocks, a local contact for a given block at each end thereof and located in another block and having electric connection with the block-rail of said given block, said local contact at the respective ends of said given block being located on opposite sides of said track, a signal on a vehicle, a contact part on said vehicle for said local contact, andA electric connection between said signal, contact part and track for affecting said signal, substantially as described.

4. In a system of the character described the combination of a track comprising an electrically-continuous rail and a mating rail insulated into blocks, the respective blocks having local contacts electrically connected to the respective ends thereof and at vopposite sides of said track and located in but insulated from other blocks, with a vehicle and signal on said vehicle, electric connection between said signal and an axle and wheels of said vehicle, and a contact part on said vehiclev having electrical connection with said signal and arranged to make contact with a local contact.

5. In a system of the character described the combination of a track comprising an electrically-continuous rail and a mating rail insulated into blocks, the respective blocks having home and distant local .contacts electrically connected to each end thereof respectively on opposite sides of said track and located alongside but insulated from other blocks, with a vehicle and signal on said vehicle, electric connection between said signal and an axle and wheels of said vehicle, and a Contact part on said vehicle having electric connection with said signal and arranged to make contact with a local contact.

6. In a system of the character described, the combination of a track comprising an electrically-continuous rail and a mating block-rail insulated into blocks, track-contacts for both ends of said blocks electrically connected therewith, the track-contacts for one of the ends of said-blocks being located at one side of'said track beyond said respective ends alongside but insulated from other blocks', the track-contacts for the other ends of said blocks being located at the other side of said track .beyond said respective| ,other ends alongside but insulated from other blocks', a signal on a vehicle, contact parts on said vehicle, one of said contact yparts arranged to make contact with the track-contact on one side of'said track, another of said 'contact' arts arranged to make contact with the trac conta'ct on the other side of said lIzo tions for cutting out either of parts from-said connections.

I Baaren;-

' 7. In a signalsyste'm for railwaysthe combination Vwith the trackfand vehicle, of a plurality of signals on said vehicle, each of said said vehicle 1n said connections for selectively serving electric connection signals comprising a different source of energy,' electric connections for said signals through the track, and an electric switchin said connections for selectively cutting out either of said signals together withits source of energy while preserving electric connect 4 tion for the other of said slgnals and its source of energy with said ,trackln 8. In a signal system for railways, the com'- bination of a track insulated into blocks, lo-

, cal contacts for said blocks located alongside but insulated fromIother blocks,"a vehicle, a contact part thereon for said local contacts, a

plurality of signals on said vehicle, electric connections thereforA through the rails, local contacts andcontact parts, and -a switchen cutting out either of .said signals while presaid signals with said track. Y

9. In a signal systemfor railways, the combination of' a track insulated intoblocks, local contact for the respective ends of blocks electrically connected with said respective blocks and located at the res e'ctive sides of said track 'alongside but insulated. from' local contacts for said blocks at' opposite ends and respectively at opposite sides thereof and located in but insulatedfrom otherblocks, a vehicle, a contact part thereon for saidA local contacts, a signal on said vehicle, electric connections therefor? through said rails, local contacts and contact parts, and a switch on said vehicle in said connections for short-cirfA cuitino said signal on said vehicle. 4

11. n a signal system for railways, 'the combination of-a track insulated into blocks, local contacts for said blocks -located at either side of the track alongside ofbut insulated from other blocks, a vehicle, va contact part at either side thereof for said trackcontacts, duplicate signals onsaid vehicle, electric connections for either'of -said sig- .nals through saidrails, local contacts and either of said contact parts, and .clec'tri'c switches on said vehiclein said connections,y for cutting out either signal'jor either 'contact i having connection with saidswitch. for actu- -13e part, substantially as described.

of said contac'tjp'arts, electric,switches` on;

block ina block in `advance of said' crossingvbloclgwith a signal 'on`a` vehiclefliaving elec:

or the .other of..

l comprising an: electrically-continuous'frai f tact part and track foraffecting saidfsignal. l

ving anelectrica l #continuous rail and 'a malt-* l I ing rail insulated intozblocksj-saidtracks and 'a mating 'r' 12.v In a signalf systernfor railways, the combination` of a trackinsulated into blocks,` local contacts -for vvfsaid blocks located at eithergside of theft-rack alongside ci but in` 1 sulated from. other blockS ,-a vehicle, a con 70,1` tact part ateither sidejthereofior said-trackv; contacts, duplicatesignalsonsaid vehicle,.= l electric connections for either of said'signals through said rails, local. contacts and either said vehicle in 'said @connections for cutting out eithersignal orfeither contact part, and., means for"fshortrcircuitingjsaid signals onf saidvehicle,substantiallyasldescribedyl 13. In a signs'il"'systemI iorra'ilw'ayafthe combination of crossing tracks,.eachl vtrack comprising an jelectricallygcontinuous rail,A and a mating` rail yinsulated -intof blocks', said. tracks crossing at afblock in eaclitrack, eachA track having a local Contact for said crossings,v y

tric connection withfsaid localfcontact and`` the track while uponsaidfblockinadvance, upon occupancy of'thef' crcssing-blo'ck` bylg'a, second'vehilcle, substantially as describedfff 14. -In a' signal? systeni'for` railways, the .7'. combination of *crossingA tracks,- each track*- and a mating rail insulatedinto blocks, said/digg tracks crossing atablock in'each tra ck,` ea chv i track havingalocal-contact`crossingfor said 2 crossing-block in: a I ,bloc'k in advance of Said j crossing-block,"with afsignal on avehiclela 7 i contactv part forfsaid local' contact, and electricj connections between saidl signal, con# 15. y In a signal for' railways, 'th'e combina tion of erossin 'tracks,eachtrackomprisl crossing ata block .in eachn track,"eachtrack-r` i' having a local contactnfor: said'f crossing# block ina block in 1rear' .,of.saidi crossing# block, aderail in each crossing -track-,'a-con" fr@ 1" du'ctor at saidderail connectinglsaidyblockrail of said crossingtrack and thel continuons rail thereof andhavinga-switch therein, said derail having. connectiomwith said switch. r.-

. for operatin said switch bythe manipulation .1 1,5

' ing-block in a Iblock in advanceof said-.'cross. ing-block', each track adjacent said crossing -bein provided with'a'dera'il, electric conducr2.5

tors or'said res ective derails havin donneetion respective y with the .blockfrail ofv said 'crossingtrack and said continuous rail, said conductor having a switch therein, said derail f1 ating said switch, a signal on a vehicle, a contact part on said vehicle `-for said local contact, and electric connections between said signal, contact part and track for affecting said signal by the throwing of said derail.

17. In a system of the character described, the combination of a side track and a main track comprising an electrically-continuous rail and a block-rail insulated into sections forming blocks, said side track being electrically bonded with the continuous rail of said main track at the block, a railroadswitch in said block normally insulated from saidblock-rail, an electric conductor connecting said block-rail with the continuous rail,

an electric switch in said conductor having i connection with said track-switch for being said main track and said conductor with said4 side track, a signal in a vehicle adapted tol operated bythe latter, a local contact at said side track having electric connection with the main track, and a local contact at said main track .having electric connection througn travel either of said tracks and having contacting'means for said local contacts and arranged to form circuit for said signal upon occupancyoi1 the ,other of said tracks, or the misplacement of said raihfoad-switch, substantially as described.

5 5 ing means for making contact with said con- 18. In a system .of the character described,

the combination of `crossing tracks, each track. comprising an electrically-continuous rail and va mating railinsulated into blocks, said tracks crossing at ablock in'each track, eachr track vhaving a local contact for said crossing-,block in a block in advance of. said crossing-block, a signal on a vehicle, a contact part on said vehiclev for said local contact, and electric connections between said signal, contact part and track-for affecting said signal, a derail in the crossing-block in each track, an electric conductor therefor connecting the block-rail and continuous rail of the crossing-block in said respective tracks, an electric switch in each of'said conductors, the respective electric switches having connection with the respective derails for simultaneo us operation. of said respective electric switches and derails.

, 1,9. In a signal system for railways, the

combination of a main track divided into' blocks and a siding-track, with electric connection between a block of said main track and said siding, and a signal on a vehicle hava'local means for operating said movable railsection.

21. In a system ofthe character described, i

the combination of atra'ck insulated into blocks and having a movable rail-section, an Velectric conductor having a switch therein, said switch. having connection with said .movable rail-section, a traveling signal having electric connection with said conductor for forming. orbreaking circuit in said traveling signal by the movement of said switch by said movable rail-section, a local signal, a local means for-operating said movable railsection, and an electric connection having a switch therein operated by said local means for forming or breaking. circuit in said local signal.

22. In a system ofthe character described, the-combination of crossing tracks insulated into blocks, a derail in each of said crossingtracks, an electric conductorhavi therein for each of ,said derails, sai switches having connection with said derails respectively, a traveling signal having electric connection with said conductors respectively for forming or breakingcircuit in said traveling signal by the movement of said switches by said derails respectively, local -signals for said derails respectively, localmeans for operating said respective derails, an electric conductor for the operating means of said respective derails, local switches respectively in said conductors for said local signals, said a switch IOO local operating meansv connecting with said derails and. the local switches therefor respectively, substantially asv described.

ing witnesses.

MAXIMILLIAN GEORGE 'VOIGTLANDER Witnesses S. F. HERBSLEB, FRED ABEL. 

